What Really Goes Into Starting a Commercial Construction Project

What’s the first thing you think of when you picture a construction project kicking off? Bulldozers rolling in? Workers putting up scaffolding?

The truth is, there’s a long list of steps that happen before a single piece of equipment touches the site. Starting a commercial construction project is a serious undertaking that demands strategy, coordination, and a lot of groundwork — and not just the literal kind.

Here’s a look at what really happens behind the scenes.

1. Defining the Project Scope

You can’t build what you can’t clearly describe. Every successful project starts with a detailed understanding of the scope.

At this stage, it’s all about locking down the basics:

• Purpose of the building – Is it retail, office, industrial, or something else?
• Size and layout – How much square footage? How many floors?
• Design needs – Are there special architectural features or technical requirements?
• Budget range – What’s the realistic spend?
• Timeline expectations – When does the building need to be ready?

Getting all this nailed down early keeps the project from drifting into endless revisions later.

2. Hiring Contractors for Site Preparation and Excavation

Before anything can be built, the land itself has to be ready, and that means bringing in the right contractors to handle site preparation & excavation. This part is more complicated than it sounds. It often includes clearing trees, demolishing old structures, grading the land, digging foundations, installing drainage systems, and ensuring the site meets local environmental regulations.

Choosing experienced contractors is critical. They need to understand the specifics of the site, from soil stability to water management. Good prep work sets the stage for everything that follows. Poor prep work? That leads to delays, safety risks, and major costs down the line.

3. Securing Permits and Approvals

No commercial construction project moves forward without a hefty stack of permits. Depending on where the project is located, the permitting process can be pretty straightforward, or it can feel like a marathon.

Typically, you’ll need permits for:

• Zoning compliance – Making sure the project fits the area’s designated land use.
• Building construction – Meeting structural, safety, and energy standards.
• Environmental impact – Assessing how the construction will affect the surrounding environment.
• Utility connections – Approving water, gas, electricity, and sewer line plans.
• Occupancy certification – Confirming the building is safe for future use.

Skipping or rushing the permitting phase almost always leads to headaches later, including potential fines or work stoppages.

4. Finalizing the Building Plans

Once permits are underway, the next step is locking down the construction documents. These plans are much more detailed than the early designs or renderings you might have seen.

They include full architectural blueprints, mechanical system layouts, electrical schematics, plumbing plans, and structural engineering details. Nothing can be left vague or open to interpretation at this point.

Building plans need to align perfectly with local codes, the client’s goals, and the site’s physical realities. Any mistakes caught later can cost time and money, so careful reviews and revisions are part of the process.

5. Budgeting and Securing Financing

No project moves forward without the money to back it up. Even if the client has a rough budget in mind, now’s the time to dig into the real numbers.

Contractors and suppliers start submitting actual bids for the work. Project managers build out cost estimates that cover:

• Materials – Concrete, steel, glass, wood, finishes, and more.
• Labor – Salaries, overtime, subcontractors.
• Equipment – Rentals, purchases, maintenance.
• Permits and fees – Local government costs, inspections, legal paperwork.
• Contingencies – Emergency funds for unexpected issues.

With final costs in hand, many project owners will seek construction loans or other forms of financing to fund the build.

6. Setting the Construction Timeline

With contractors hired, plans finalized, and financing secured, it’s time to set a realistic construction timeline.

A good timeline doesn’t just include the start and end dates. It breaks the entire project into phases, such as:

• Site work
• Foundation work
• Framing and structural build
• Exterior and interior finishing
• Systems installation (electrical, HVAC, plumbing)
• Final inspections and approvals

Each phase requires buffer time to account for inspections, weather delays, supply chain disruptions, and other common issues. Rushing the timeline almost always leads to problems, while a well-paced schedule helps everything run smoother.

7. Preparing the Site for Construction

Even after the land has been cleared and the excavation work is finished, there’s still more setup needed before construction officially kicks off.

This includes installing temporary fencing around the property to keep the site secure, setting up mobile offices and storage containers for the crew, and making sure basic utilities like water and power are available on-site. Access roads and parking areas are also mapped out and prepared to handle the steady flow of workers, equipment, and deliveries. Every part of this preparation helps create a safer, more organized environment that keeps the project moving efficiently once the heavy construction starts.

8. Ordering Long-Lead Materials

There’s one more critical step before building begins; ordering materials that have long lead times. These aren’t things you can grab last minute. Items like structural steel, customized windows and doors, specialized mechanical systems, and major components such as elevators often require weeks or even months of production and shipping time.

Waiting too long to place these orders can throw off the entire project schedule. By locking in orders early, project managers make sure the materials arrive when needed, keeping everything on track and avoiding frustrating, expensive delays.

Starting Strong Makes All the Difference

Launching a commercial construction project isn’t just about breaking ground — it’s about setting the right foundation long before any physical work begins.

Every step, from hiring the right contractors to securing the right permits, plays a huge role in whether a project succeeds or struggles. The more planning, care, and coordination that goes into the early stages, the smoother everything else runs.